LUCY-ANNE Cage has made it her mission to raise money in memory of her close friend Connor Tremble.

The 18-year-old, who grew up with the teenager in Banbury, has so far helped to collect more than £2,800 following the 17-year-old’s murder in February.

She said: “I want to keep him alive.

“He is with us every day and I want people to know it.”

It comes as Will Blencowe was last week jailed for life – with a minimum of 23 years – for stabbing Connor at his Fairacres Road flat.

Miss Cage has been selling wristbands and wants to build two memorial benches in the former Meadowbrook College pupil’s name.

She said she hoped one would be put in Spiceball Park in Banbury – where she used to hang out with Connor, and another by the Oxford Canal where Connor used to walk.

But she said she wanted friends of Connor to be involved in making the benches to make them more special.

The Hanwell Fields resident said more than 100 original wristbands with “In Memory of Connor” on them were sold for £3 each.

But she said new ones would read “Justice for Connor has been Served” with the date his murderer Will Blencowe was convicted on.

Miss Cage said any leftover money would be given to the national organisation Brain Bank for Autism – a charity close to Connor’s family’s heart.

But she said she would continue to raise money in her friend’s name, adding: “We are going to carry on fundraising in Connor’s name for that charity so he will never be forgotten.”

She added: “He was great to everyone as you can tell. It has touched so many people.”

Connor’s flatmate Kyle Martin – who called 999 after his friend was stabbed – has also now paid tribute to the murdered teen.

He said: “Connor was a caring loving character who always put others before himself.

“He had a heart of gold and wanted to succeed in life.

“He was my soulmate, my other half. I loved him as a little brother – words can’t describe the pain this has brought into my life and all of Connor’s family’s lives.”

He added: “We will forever be grateful to everybody who has shown their support and the hard work from the detectives and, of course, our barrister Richard Barton.

“One love to the team and one love to the Trembles.”

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